Trump Reappoints Newly-Minted IRS Commissioner to Ambassadorship
President Donald J. Trump is making a leadership change at the Internal Revenue Service, replacing Commissioner Billy Long, who announced Friday that he will transition to a new diplomatic role representing the United States abroad.
Long confirmed the development in a post on X, revealing that he will now serve as U.S. ambassador to Iceland.
“It is an honor to serve my friend President Trump, and I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland,” Long wrote. “I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!”
Officials at the U.S. Department of the Treasury thanked Long for his time leading the tax agency and praised his service both in Congress and within the Trump administration.
“Treasury thanks Commissioner Long for his commitment to public service and the American people,” a Treasury spokesperson told FOX Business in a statement. “His zeal and enthusiasm to bring a fresh perspective to the Federal Government was evident in both the House of Representatives and as part of the Trump Administration. A new candidate for Commissioner will be announced at the appropriate time.”
Short Tenure at the IRS
Long, who previously represented Missouri’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, had only recently assumed leadership of the IRS. He was sworn in as the agency’s 51st commissioner on June 16.
Just days earlier, on June 12, the Republican-controlled United States Senate confirmed his appointment in a 53–44 party-line vote, according to FOX Business.
His term had been scheduled to run through November 12, 2027.
The Missouri Republican took the helm of an agency he had once openly criticized during his time in Congress. Long previously supported legislation aimed at abolishing the IRS entirely and replacing the federal income tax system with a national sales tax.
In remarks to agency employees after his swearing-in, Long said he hoped to reshape the culture of the IRS into one that “makes your lives and the taxpayers’ lives better.”
He became the fifth individual to lead the IRS since the beginning of 2025, succeeding Michael Faulkender, who had been serving as acting commissioner while also working as deputy Treasury secretary.
Trump Tax Cuts Already Affecting Millions
The leadership change comes as President Trump’s latest tax reforms begin to take hold during the 2026 filing season.
According to a newly released fact sheet from the Treasury Department, more than 63.5 million tax returns have already been processed this year. The average refund currently exceeds $3,700.
The administration says the new tax provisions — collectively branded as the Working Families Tax Cuts — are designed to reduce taxes on income streams that most directly affect middle-class Americans while boosting take-home pay.
Treasury data shows that nearly 45 percent of returns filed so far have claimed at least one of the new tax benefits.
One of the most widely used provisions targets overtime income. Officials say roughly 15.5 million tax filers have already claimed the benefit, making it the most popular feature of the reform package so far.
Administration officials argue the policy rewards Americans who work longer hours and provides relief to working-class families and retirees facing economic pressures.
“Trump Accounts” Introduced as Part of Economic Plan
The Treasury also highlighted a new savings initiative included in the reform package known as Trump Accounts.
The program, currently operating as a pilot, has already resulted in nearly 3.5 million accounts being opened. Of those, more than 800,000 have qualified for a $1,000 government contribution.
Officials say the broader goal of the administration’s tax overhaul is to stimulate economic growth by increasing disposable income and encouraging consumer spending.
By reducing tax burdens on commonly earned forms of income, policymakers hope to boost wages and expand financial opportunities for American workers.
Early data from the 2026 filing season suggests the strategy may already be having an impact. Treasury officials report that millions of households are receiving larger refunds and paying less in taxes under the new framework.
Still, some economists caution that the full effects of the policy changes will only become clear later in the year once the Internal Revenue Service completes processing the remainder of the nation’s tax returns.